Obituary of Graham Francis Smyth

SMYTH, Graham Francis Of Charing Cross, passed away on March 30, 2015 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, age 69. Loving husband of Elisa Mary nee Dengler. Father of Gemma Smyth and husband Adam Vasey of Windsor, Marty Smyth and wife Akiko Kitano of Toronto and Ilana Smyth and husband Cameron McNaughton of Windsor. Grandfather of Liana and Amara Smyth-Vasey, Samuel and Alistair McNaughton and Keiji and Hiromi Smyth. Brother of Muriel Smyth and John Smyth both of Chatham. Brother-in-law of Joseph Dengler of London. Predeceased by his parents Herbert and Annabella nee Matier. Friends will be received at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair St., Chatham on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 between 3:00 and 5:00 PM, and between 7:00 and 9:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Ursula’s Catholic Church, 205 Tweedsmuir Ave. West on April 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM, with hors d’oeuvres and refreshments to follow. Spring interment will be held at the Van Horne Cemetery. Graham grew up on a family farm in Harwich Township with his brother, John, and sister, Muriel. He was, unabashedly, a “country boy”. Graham was an award-winning teacher, author of four books on computer science, lover of alternative and environmentally responsible energy sources, and avid birder, camper, and astronomer. He believed in the power of progressive politics and economics to improve the lives of average Canadians. Graham was also locally known for having built a giant, working catapult still standing at the country home he built with his life-long partner, Elisa. Graham was an innovator in the teaching and practice of math and computer science. In recognition of the underrepresentation of women in these subjects, Graham requested that donations be made to the Lambton Kent District School Board to establish a scholarship for women entering college or university majoring in Mathematics or Computer Science. Donations can be made by contacting the funeral home. The family would like to thank the compassionate medical staff at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, especially Nicki, Roseanne, Toni and Deb as well as Sandra from CCAC. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com. McKinlay Funeral Home 459 St. Clair St. Chatham, Ontario (519)351-2040 GrahamSmythVideoTribute from McKinlay Funeral Homes Ltd. on Vimeo.